The tragedy of a jumping castle that was lifted by a gust of wind at Hillcrest Primary School, resulting in the deaths of six children and serious injuries to three others, has led to a court case where the operator, Rosemary Gamble of Taz-Zorb, has pleaded not guilty to health and safety violations. Gamble’s defence argues that she had successfully operated the castle over 100 times without incident, and claims the Chinese manufacturer, East Inflatables, provided inadequate instructions and only four anchor pegs instead of the recommended eight.
Gamble’s lawyer, Chris Dockray, contends that she was misled by the manufacturer, which failed to communicate proper safety measures. He described East Inflatables as a “bunch of crooks” for presenting false documents about compliance with Australian standards. In closing submissions, Dockray noted that a rare wind event, akin to a “mini-tornado,” was not something Gamble could have anticipated, and argued that no anchor system could have prevented the incident.
Prosecutor Madeleine Wilson countered, stating that the jumping castle likely could have withstood the weather conditions had it been properly secured with eight anchor points. She further suggested that Gamble’s approach to set-up lacked professional guidance. The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the need for stringent safety regulations in equipment rentals. A decision from Magistrate Robert Webster is expected on June 6.